Let’s be honest, these days, the criteria for picking where to eat out in Lagos is based off a lot more than the menu. As it should, aesthetics and experience count a lot too. Is a particular restaurant influencer-approved? Can you take fire pictures there? What vibe does it give off?

New spots are springing up every day in this city, and with it, new trends — the latest one being themed restaurants. They have a unifying or dominant concept, and utilise architecture, decor, special effects and other techniques to create an exotic environment that’s not normally associated with dining.

Now, if you value a good all-round restaurant experience, then you probably want to check out a few of these 5 themed restaurants.

1. PitStop

where: 92A Younis Bashorun Street, Victoria Island

First stop is Pitstop (see what I did there? 😏). If you’re all about the healthy living/fitness/wellness life, this cycling-inspired cafe is the place to be. Its aesthetics are majorly influenced by the founder, Amindaab Allen Adegbaro, who is a cyclist. The cafe has both outdoor and indoor sitting areas on the ground floor, and the interior makes you feel as though you have been exported to a bike wonderland in the heart of Victoria Island.

The design is tastefully thought through and it is a focal point for the creation of this restaurant. PitStop has interesting features like a bike shop, offers spinning classes and invites you to join its cycling community. The creativity of the name of the dishes is also a plus. You’ll find menu items named after Caster Semanye, Hulk Hogan and Michael Phelps (which, btw, is a grilled fish named after the olympian).

PitStop serves breakfast, coffee, dessert and mocktails.

Price Range: N5000 — N20000

2. Amazonia

WHERE: 5 Adeola Hopewell Street, Victoria Island

Amazonia restaurant is offering Nigeria’s first rainforest dining experience, ya’ll. This restaurant has a well-thought-out menu, featuring a variety of options inspired by the different rainforest regions around the world — a themed drinks menu inspired by South American and Asian flavours, a wine service, and the ambience to match.

The ceiling is covered in greenery, and sounds of birds and gorillas fill the room. There’s also an immersive room that serves as the dining area, filled with wooden animal sculptures, to help provide a little ‘entertainment’ while you eat.

Price range: N3500 — N30000

Note: Reservation only.

3. Sketch

where: 26 Adeola Hopewell Street, Victoria Island

Another first: Africa’s first 2D/3D restaurant. We’re not thrilled about their food, to say the least, but walking into Sketch feels like walking into a storybook. Literally. So if you are a bookworm, chances are that you are going to love it here.

The restaurant uses artistic tricks of illusion to give the appearance of two/three-dimensional ancient Egypt, through and through, and even from the entrance, the experience begins, with four beautiful Egyptian monks welcoming you. Apart from being picture-worthy, it offers classic restaurant food like burgers, pasta, etc.

Price range: N5500 — N30000

4. Hua Han

where: 45C Sobo Arobiodu Street, Ikeja GRA

What’s better than an aesthetically pleasing pan-Asian restaurant that also offers tasteful Korean and Chinese food?

Hua Han is acclaimed as the most popular Korean restaurant on the Mainland. It takes you on a trip to Asia, with its infusion of their culture into everything from the decor to your starter. The restaurant offers breakfast, lunch and dinner and is suitable for groups, kids and outdoor dining.

Price range: N7000 — N20000

5. Alice Garden

where: 57 Oduduwa Way, Ikeja GRA

Can you guess what the theme is? The name says it all. We bring you an Alice in Wonderland-themed restaurant. If you’ve seen the Disney classic, then you know what to expect.

Alice Garden restaurant offers a combination of a Chinese Fusion and Nigerian menu. The ambience is dreamy and fun, and is the right place for you if you want to experience something different. Interestingly, it also shares owners with Hua Han.

If you’re looking to enjoy a little airy-fairy-ness, take cute pics and get your bubble tea fix, this is the place.

Price range: N3000 — N10000

Let us know some of your top picks in the Comments!

Iroro Alloh is a senior copywriter at Insight Publicis who low-key enjoys her job. When she’s not writing and creating content, she’s finding ways to maintain her baby girl lifestyle without going broke.